A study has suggested the government work on three objectives simultaneously–enforcing strict physical distancing, increased entitlement support, and revamping public health system— to help prevent the loss of life and livelihood during the coronavirus pandemic. It has also made a plea for taking a nine-month plan to curb the pandemic effect. Robust testing and imposition of strict shutdown should be ensured during the first three months of the plan. Development of a strong public healthcare system for safe and gradual reopening of the economy need to be accomplished during the remaining six months. A pool of experts, however, expressed doubt over the feasibility of some of policy recommendations made in the study as Bangladesh doesn’t have the capability right now to take costly measures due to economic vulnerability. The recommendations were put forward at a policy webinar on ‘Coping with COVID-19: The Case of Bangladesh’ organised by the General Economics Division (GED) under the Ministry of Planning on Tuesday evening. The virtual event was supported by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and the International Growth Centre (IGC).
A study has suggested the government work on three objectives simultaneously–enforcing strict physical distancing, increased entitlement support, and revamping public health system— to help prevent the loss of life and livelihood during the coronavirus pandemic. It has also made a plea for taking a nine-month plan to curb the pandemic effect. Robust testing and imposition of strict shutdown should be ensured during the first three months of the plan. Development of a strong public healthcare system for safe and gradual reopening of the economy need to be accomplished during the remaining six months. A pool of experts, however, expressed doubt over the feasibility of some of policy recommendations made in the study as Bangladesh doesn’t have the capability right now to take costly measures due to economic vulnerability. The recommendations were put forward at a policy webinar on ‘Coping with COVID-19: The Case of Bangladesh’ organised by the General Economics Division (GED) under the Ministry of Planning on Tuesday evening. The virtual event was supported by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and the International Growth Centre (IGC).
